ATS (Applications Technology Satellite)

ATS 6.

ATS (Applications Technology Satellite) was a series of NASA satellites designed to explore and flight-test
new technologies and techniques for communications, navigation, and weather
satellites. Among the areas investigated during the program were spin
stabilization, gravity
gradient stabilization, complex synchronous maneuvering, communications
experiments, and the GSO (geostationary
orbit) environment. Although the ATS flights were intended mainly as
test-beds, they also collected and transmitted weather data and worked at
times as communications satellites.

ATS 1 took the first U.S. high-quality photographs of the Earth from synchronous
orbit, showing the changing cloud-cover patterns. In addition to weather
data, the satellite relayed color television across the United States and
voice signals from the ground to aircraft in flight. ATS 3 carried advanced
communications, meteorology, and navigation experiments and made high-resolution
color photographs of one complete side of the Earth. ATS 6, as well as carrying
out technology experiments, became the world's first education satellite,
transmitting educational programs to India, the United States, and other
countries. It was the first communications satellite with the power to broadcast
TV photos to small local receivers. It also played a major role in docking
during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. All
the ATS missions were launched from Cape
Canaveral.